Feels like my brain capacity is very low

September 15, 2026··

Posted in:Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine)Support

Does anyone else feel like when they're on antidepressants, their brain capacity is way lower than average? For example, working becomes increasingly difficult because I feel I can only handle so many tasks before I feel I'm on empty. I try to pull through because I don't want to be lazy. Some days are a little better than other. But I just feel like my brain and body are so unhealthy, which is true because I eat like crap and I do drink everyday. I'm not proud of it and I know you're not supposed to drink but it's the only thing that makes me feel better. I'm 35 and I seriously feel like I'm in my 60s.

8 Replies

Masha3d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

Good nutrition and not drinking are so important. Vitamins too. I know you’ve heard that but it really makes a difference.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Faith3d ago

Pristiq · active

@Masha I understand that, I really do. It’s just I have no desire to cook a healthy meal. I want the easy microwaveable foods and prepared foods. When I’m depressed I just don’t care honestly. I wish I did.

Masha3d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

So are you actively tapering? Are the symptoms worse with the taper? Are you getting guidance on a healthy slow taper?

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Faith3d ago

Pristiq · active

Yes, I’m actively tapering. I’ve been tapering very slowly. It’s been going over a year and I honestly think this will take me 3 years or more. As far as my symptoms, I’m either going through protracted withdrawal or I’m reacting to the last drop I made which wasn’t huge.

Masha3d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

The increased depression can definite be from withdrawal. Why did you start tapering? And is someone guiding you?

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Faith3d ago

Pristiq · active

I started tapering because I was never chronically depressed. I agreed to get on them because of a situation that would have been healed with therapy. And I have my psychiatrist, but she’s not a deprescribing specialist. So really I use her for medication management.

Masha3d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

Well I hope it works for you. Go slowly and take care of yourself!

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Khanyisa1d ago

LighthouseEffexor · active

Hello Faith. I can relate to this and is one of the reasons I started looking into tapering off effexor cause I could not handle this feeling anymore. It feels like you are no longer as sharp as you used to be, like you have aged years. I hate it.

Effexor — 150 mg — 6 years — actively tapering

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